Dayton Asks For No Charges Against MSP Protesters
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton has asked Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport officials not to press charges against Black Lives Matter protesters who shut down roads leading to the airport.
Hundreds of protesters marched down the airport ramps on December 23 after massive rally that began at the Mall of America. Protesters hoped to draw attention to the death of a black man shot by Minneapolis police in November. One airport terminal briefly shut down and eight people were arrested.
Dayton said Tuesday that he made the request because the airport protest appeared unplanned. But he also warned future rallies not to disrupt traffic at Minnesota's primary travel hub.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Airports Commission did not immediately return phone calls or emails seeking comment.
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